William K. Doherty
Major, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 6 February 1945, Major William K. Doherty was serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber in the 750th Bombardment Squadron, 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, MAJ Doherty's Squadron was participating in a bombing mission on German targets. MAJ Doherty's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 4
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Major (Air Corps) William K. Doherty (ASN: 0-411462), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 750th Bombardment Squadron, 457th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 6 February 1945, against enemy targets in in the European Theater of Operations. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Major Doherty on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Authority: A.B.M.C.

Burial

Major William K. Doherty is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial in Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England in Plot A, Row 7, Grave 33.

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